Explosive device comprising separate hollow bodies with glycerin and nitric acid therein

ABSTRACT

An explosive device which can be a projectile or land mine has a cylindrical body containing an axially movable tube filled with glycerin, and spaced by a breakable plug from a chamber containing nitric acid. An explosive charge at one end of the tube violently drives it axially to break the plug so the glycerin mixes with the nitric acid to form nitroglycerin which explodes. Walls of the cylindrical body may contain shrapnel. As a projectile, the device may be arranged to explode in air or on impact against an obstacle. As a land mine, the device can be fired by application of a predetermined weight which triggers the explosive charge.

United States Patent [Ill 3,589,293

[72] Inventor Emery Major 109 Graceland Drive, San Rafel, Calif. 94901 [2|] Appl. No. 780,685 [22] Filed Dec. 3, I968 [45] Patented June 29, I971 [54] EXPLOSIVE DEVICE COMPRISING SEPARATE HOLLOW BODIES WITH GLYCERIN AND NITRIC ACID THEREIN 8 Claims, 14 Figs.

[52] US. Cl 102/57, 102/8, l02/49.3 [5 I] Int. Cl ..F42b 13/12, F42b 13/32, F24b 23/00 [50] Field of Search 102/56- [56] Reierenees Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 287,924 lI/l883 Gruson et al. 102/57 325,538 9/1885 Hayes 102/57 ""rgsrgrg agarwgt 494,696 4/I 893 Winslow 102/57 950,032 2/1910 Stiriz 102/57 1,309,743 7/1919 Nichols I02/49.l 2,4 I 6,362 2/l947 Walker..... 102/57 2,421,752 6/1947 Jones l02/49.6 2,494,562 H1950 Kessenich l02/49.7

Primary Examiner-Samuel Feinberg Assistant ExaminerC. T. Jordan ArtorneyPolachek and Saulsbury the glycerin mixes with the nitric acid to form nitroglycerin which explodes. Walls of the cylindrical body may contain shrapnel. As a projectile, the device may be arranged to explode in air or on impact against an obstacle. As a land mine, the device can be fired by application of a predetermined weight which triggers the explosive charge.

PATENTEDJUNZQIHH 3,589,293

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INVENTOR.

EMERY MAJOR ATTORNEYS PATENIEDJu-29|9 7l 3.589293 SHEET .3 [IF 4 INVENTOR.

EMERY MAJOR mwy A TTURNE Y5 PATENTEU M29197! 3589,2533

SHEET u 0F 4 IN VENTOR.

BY EMERY MAJOR ATTURNE .5

EXPLOSIVE DEVICE COMPRISING SEPARATE HOLLOW BODIES WITII GLYCERIN AND NITRIC ACID THEREIN This invention relates to the art of explosive devices for military use and more particularly concerns a device containing liquid components which unite on impact to generate an explosive mass. The invention is applicable to projectiles, land mines, and other such militarydevices.

I-Ieretofore, explosive devices used for military purposes have contained explosive material ready to explode on impact. Such devices are relatively unstable because the explosive material can ignite or explode spontaneously while in storage or upon application of excessive heat or accidentally applied mechanical shock.

' In the present invention by contrast, the explosive device contains liquid nitric acid and glycerin in separate compartments. The device cannot be accidentally ignited or exploded because the two liquid components remain separate until an impact is applied in a prescribed way with predetermined force. The invention is applicable to a projectile or land mine which can contain shrapnel. The device can be fired from a handgun or multiple launcher.

Various objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification together with the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof.

Referring to the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an oblique side view of a projectile assembly embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a projectile forming the core of the assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view taken on line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of two parts of the projectile of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of one part of the projectile taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the other part of the projectile taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 5, the projectile being shown in intact, unexploded condition.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7 showing the projectile at a stage in its internal operation just preceding explosion of the projectile.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 7 illus trating another form of projectile.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a device for launching a multiplicity or projectiles according to the invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of device of FIG. 10 shown packed into a convenient portable carrying case.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a land mine embodying another form of the invention with protective container removed.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged axial sectional view taken on line 13-13 of FIG. l2.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 14-14 of FIG.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a projectile assembly including a cylindrical tube 22 made of thin easily breakable material such as paper. The tube is closed at one end by a thin circular insert 24. Holes 27 are formed in opposite sides of the tube. The other end of the tube is fitted with a cylindrical cap 26. The cap has a circumferential flange or rib 28 which is engaged by a catch 29 of a handgun 30 shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1. At the center of end 34 of the cap is an explosive squib 36. The squib can be struck by hammer 38 of the gun upon manual pulling of trigger 37 to discharge or explode the squib.

Snugly fitted inside tube 22 is projectile 25 shown best in FIGS. 2--8. The projectile has cylindrical front and rear portions 40, 42. The rear portion 42 includes'a cylindrical tube 44 closed at its rear end by circular wall 46 and open at the front end where the tube terminates in externally threaded nipple 48. The tube has a chamber 47 filled with a relatively slow burning dry explosive material 49 such as gunpowder. A plurality of axially extending grooves 50 are formed in the tube 44. The grooves are spaced circumferentially apart. Secured by rivets 52 at front ends of the grooves are springy blades or vanes 54. The vanes are normally held in closed retracted position inside of tube 22 and cap 26' but expand to the position shown in FIGS. 36 when projectile 25 is released from tube 22 and cap 26. These vanes keep the projectile moving in an axial direction when in flight and tend to prevent spinning. A flexible web can be connected between each blade 54 and the tube 44 to further stabilize the projectile in flight.

The front portion 40 of the projectile has two cylindrical parts 60 and 62. The rear part 60 includes a cylinder 63 with an internally threaded end 64 which snugly receives threaded nipple 48 of the rear portion 42 of the projectile. .lust forwardly of the threaded end is a transverse partition 66 in the center of which is fitted an explosive squib 68 (see FIG. 7). The squib is exposed to a mass of dry explosive slow burning gunpowder 70 contained in a cup 72 in chamber 71. The cup has a forwardly extending cylindrical flange 74 in which is engaged a tube 75. The tube 75 is closed at its rear end by a circular wall 76. The tube has an internal chamber 77 filled with glycerin 78. The front end of the tube is formed with circumferentially arranged prongs 80. Just behind the prongs is a circular disc 82 closing the front of the chamber 77. Another cup 84 is fittedon the front end of the tube 75. The front end of cylinder 63 is formed with an externally threaded nipple 85. A cylindrical internally threaded coupling member or fitting 86 receives nipple and connects rear part 60 to front part'62.

The front part 62 of the projectile portion 40 includes cylinder 87 with a rear externally threaded nipple 88 engaging in the coupling member 86. An internal rib 90 is'formed in the coupling member against which both nipples 85 and 88 abut. Fitted in the rear end of cylinder 87 is a circular plastic plug 92. The periphery of the plug is engaged in recess 93 defined at the end of cylinder 87 and abutted to rib 90. The plug has a rather conical central portion formed with a nipple 94 engaged on the rear end'of a rigid axially disposed rod 96. The

rod is threaded at its front end and is engaged in a threaded recess 98 at the closed rounded front end 99 of cylinder 87. In this cylinder is a cylindrical chamber 100 containing nitric acid 102. Shot or shrapnel 104 can be embedded in the breakable wall of cylinder 87.

The assembly 20 can be disassembled into separate cylindrical parts 42, 60 and 62 and reassembled in the field. The assembly 20 can be mounted in gun 30 as shown in FIG. 1. The projectile 25 will be ejected from gun 30 whenthe gun is fired. When hammer 38 strikes squib 36 it explodes and ejects the projectile 25 axially out of tube 22. The holes 27 allow the gases to escape from the tube 22 until the full power of the projectile is developed to shoot out of the tube. FIGS. 3 and 4 show the projectile as it would appear in flight. The vanes 54 are expanded to keep the projectile moving in axial direction. At the same time that squib 36 explodes it fires gunpowder 49. This relatively slow burning material then explodes firing squib 68 and powder charge 70. Explosion of powder charge 70 drives tube 75 forwardly as shown in FIG. 8. Exploded gaseous charges 49', 68' and 70 are shown in tubes 44 and 63. When tube 75 is driven forwardly with cup 72, prongs 80 pierce the cup 84 and break off a marginal peripheral portion 92' of plug 92. The plug at the rear end of rod 96 retains cup 84 and broken disc 82' as the tube 75 moves forwardly. The marginal portion 92' of plug 92 is retained in recess 93. The glycerin 78in tube 75 flows out of the open end of this tube and mixes with nitric acid 102 in chamber 100. A gaseous explosive charge 102 develops which explodes cylinder 87 The shot or shrapnel 104 then flies in all directions. The timing of the several charges is such that explosion of the projectile and releases of the shrapnel take place a predetermined time after the gun 30 is fired, so that the projectile 25 traverses a predetermined distance before exploding.

FIG. 9 shown a projectile A which is arranged to explode only on impact. It is generally similar to projectile 25 in structure and corresponding parts are identically numbered. The rear part 42 of the projectile is the same as in projectile 25. In the front part a of the projectile, axial rod 96a is integral with partition 66a which faces the open end of cylinder 44 containing dry explosive charge 49. Plug 92 is located at the front end of rod 96a and is engaged in recess 93a at rib 90 of coupling member 86. Tube is now disposed in the forward portion of the projectile in cylinder 87a. The position of the tube 75 is reversed and the prongs face rearwardly toward cup 84. The closed rear wall 76 of tube 75 abuts cup 72 containing explosive charge 70a. A cylindrical tip 120 with rounded end extends outwardly of the front end 990 of tube 87a. The tip has a threaded stem 124 screwed into threaded bore 126 which communicates with chamber a where tube 75 is located. The tip is filled with an explosive charge 128 which faces explosive charge 70a in cup 72.

In operation of projectile 25A, the projectile will be fired in the same manner as described for projectile 25. As the projectile leaves gun 30 charge 49 explodes and drives the projectile forward. However, the projectile does not explode until impact is made by tip 120 upon the target or an obstruction. Then charge 128 explodes on impact to fire and explode charge 70a. This charge explodes and drives tube 75 rearwardly in chamber 1000 so that prongs 80 break cup 84 and plug 92. The plug stops cup 84 and disc 82 which breaks releasing glycerin in chamber 71a. The glycerin mixes with nitric acid 102a and the shock of impact explodes the projectile. Cylinder 630 in which is embedded shrapnel or shot 104a explodes releasing the shrapnel.

Although projectiles 25 and 25A can be fired individually from gun 30, they can also be fired in multiple from a multiple launcher such as shown in FIG. 10. This launcher has a plurality of projectiles 25 disposed in compartments 152 in casing 154. The casing is shown mounted pivotally between angular protractors 156 on panels 158 and 159 supported by stakes 160 on the ground. Levels 162 and 164 serve in leveling the panels. Side bolts 166 are adjustably engaged in threaded blocks 168 at opposite sides of the casing 154. Bottom ends 169 of the bolts are pointed to penetrate the ground. An explosive charge 170 in the casing can be exploded electrically by a remotely located battery 172 and switch 174 connected by cable 176 to the launcher. The projectiles will be fired simultaneously in a selected angular direction depending on the angular setting of the casing in its lateral protractors. The launcher is angularly supported by rear panel 175 adjustably carried by panel 176 supported by panels 177, 178 and 179.

The launcher can be contained in a conveniently portable case 180, as shown in FIG. 11. Board 158 is the front of the case. Panel 176 is the back of the case. Panels 177, 178 and 179 serve as the side flaps, top and front flap of the case. Panel 159 serves as the bottom of the case. The case is carried by handle on top of the case. At a field location, the case can be quickly opened and the launcher can be arranged in the position of FIG. 10.

FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 show a land mine 200 which is constructed according to principles discussed in connection with projectiles 25 and 25A. The device is shown removably disposed in a cylindrical container 202 having a removable cover 204. The container is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 12. The land mine itself has a cylindrical bottom member 206 in which is a cylindrical chamber 208 containing nitric acid 209. Supported on rods 210 integral with the closed bottom 212 of cylinder 206 is a breakable circular plug 214. The marginal portion 216 of the plug is seated in recess 218 formed in the inner side of the cylinder. The upper open end of the cylinder is internally threaded and receives a threaded nipple 220 formed on upper cylindrical member 222 of the device. A ring gasket 224 is disposed between the lower open end of cylinder 222 and the marginal portion 216 of plug 214.

A tube 225 is disposed in cylinder 222. This tube contains glycerin 226 in chamber 227. The upper end 228 of the tube is closed. The lower end is open and is formed with prongs 230.

Cup 232 closes the bottom end of the tube and disc 235 closes chamber 227 containing the glycerin 226. At the upper end 228 of tube 225 is a cup 240 having a cylindrical flange 242 engaged with the tube. Cup 240 contains a dry explosive charge 244 which is exposed to another explosive charge or squib 247 partially filling passage 245 in a threaded fitting 243. The fitting is seated in a threaded bore 246 in the top 248 of cylinder 222. On fitting 243 is mounted an axially vertical tube 250. Another tube 252 is slidably mounted on and surrounds tube 250. Tube 252 supports a horizontal disc 254 at its upper end. A coil spring 256 in tube 252 bears on the closed top 258 of tube 250 holding tube 252 and disc 254 in elevated position. A cross pin 260 extends through a diametral hold 259 in top 258 of tube 250. The ends of the pin extend into axial slots 257 formed in opposite sides of tube 252. Inside tube 250 is a compressed coil spring 263 bearing down on the head 262 of a pin 264 slidably disposed in tube 250. Pin 264 is disposed in bore 245 in fitting 243 and is spaced from charge 244. A ball 270 is seated in a hole 272 in the side of tube 250 and engages the head 262 of pin 264 at groove 274. A hole 275 is formed in tube 252. This hole is normally located above ball 270 when the tube 252 is in the extended position shown in FIG. 13.

The land mine is ready for operation after removal from container 202 and disposition at a suitable location a predetermined distance below ground, generally not more than a few inches. Now, if the weight of a person or vehicle bears down on disc 254, tube 252 will descend until the tube is stopped by the ends of pin 260 encountering the upper ends of slots 257. At the same time, hole 275 will become aligned with ball 270 which will be pushed laterally out of hole 275 as the compressed coil spring 263 expands. Coil spring 263 will also force pin 264 down in bore 245 of fitting 243 to fire charge 247 by impact. This explodes charge 244. The exploding charges will drive cup 240 and tube 225 downward until prongs 230 break cup 232 and the marginal portion 216 of plug 214. At the same time, cup 232 and disc 235 are stopped by the center portion of plug 214 on rods 210. The glycerin 226 is then released to mix with nitric acid 209 and explodes due to violent impact imparted by exploded charge 244. Shrapnel 280 in the sidewalls of cylinder 206 will be scattered about with fragments of exploded cylinders 206 and 222. It will be understood that explosion of the land mine is caused by release of compressed spring 263. The weight of a person or vehicle on the disc 254 only serves to trigger the land mine. All the explosive devices described employ the basic principle of driving a container of glycerin forcefully into a container of nitric acid to cause explosion of the two liquids as they chemically react to form explosive nitroglycerin.

Although the invention has been described in connection with military uses, it is applicable to explosive devices used for other nonmilitary purposes.

I claim:

1. An explosive device, comprising a first hollow cylindrical body; a second hollow cylindrical body disengageably attached at one end thereof to one end of said first body in axial alignment therewith, said second body having a breakable cylindrical wall; a tubular container of glycerin axially disposed in said first body and movable axially therein; an explosive charge disposed at the other end of said first body adjacent to said container to drive the same axially into said second body when said charge is exploded; a quantity of nitric acid in said second body; a rod integral with said second body and extending axially thereof; a peripherally breakable disc at one end of said rod disposed transversely of said second body at said one end thereof to seal the nitric acid therein; circumferentially arranged prongs at said one end of said first body secured to said container and disposed adjacent said disc to break the same when said container is moved axially into the second body while said rod serves as a support for the disc, whereby the prongs break the disc peripherally when said charge explodes to cause mixture of the glycerin and nitric acid forming nitroglycerin and explosion of the nitroglycerin;

and shrapnel embedded in said wall of said second body for scattering when the nitroglycerin explodes and breaks said wall.

2. An explosive device as defined in claim 1, further comprising an axially projecting-element containing another explosive charge at the other end of said first body, said other explosive charge being exposed to the first named explosive charge, whereby said other explosive charge explodes on impact with an obstacle to explode the first named explosive charge, so that the tubular container is driven axially into said second body.

. 3. An explosive device as defined in claim 2, further comprising a thirdcylindrical body attachable to the other end of the second body and containing a further explosive charge, said third cylindrical body being mountable in a gun for firing said further explosive charge to project the device axially.

4. An explosive device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a third cylindrical body attachable to the other end of the first cylindrical body and containing another explosive charge, said other explosive charge being exposed to the first named explosive charge to explode the same and drive said tubular container into said second cylindrical body.

5. An explosive device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a third cylindrical body attachable to the other end of the first named cylindrical body and containing another explosive charge, said other cylindrical body being mountable in a gun for firing said other explosive charge to project the device in air.

6. An explosive device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a third cylindrical body attachable to the first cylindrical body and containing another explosive charge exposed to the first named explosive charge; and movable pin means in said third cylindrical body for firing said other explosive charge to explode the first named explosive charge.

7. An explosive device as defined in claim 6, further comprising another disc movably mounted at one end of said third cylindrical body and responsive. to a weight placed upon it for advancing said pin to fire the other explosive charge.

8. An explosive device as defined in claim 6, further comprising another disc movably mounted at one end of said third cylindrical body and responsive to a weight placed thereon to move therewith; and trigger means in said third cylindrical body responsive to movement of said other disc to explode said other explosive charge. 

2. An explosive device as defined in claim 1, further comprising an axially projecting element containing another explosive charge at the other end of said first body, said other explosive charge being exposed to the first named explosive charge, whereby said other explosive charge explodes on impact with an obstacle to explode the first named explosive charge, so that the tubular container is driven axially into said second body.
 3. An explosive device as defined in claim 2, further comprising a third cylindrical body attachable to the other end of the second body and containing a further explosive charge, said third cylindrical body being mountable in a gun for firing said further explosive charge to project the device axially.
 4. An explosive device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a third cylindrical body attachable to the other end of the first cylindrical body and containing another explosive charge, said other explosive charge being exposed to the first named explosive charge to explode the same and drive said tubular container into said second cylindrical body.
 5. An explosive device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a third cylindrical body attachable to the other end of the first named cylindrical body and containing another explosive charge, said other cylindrical body being mountable in a gun for firing said other explosive charge to project the device in air.
 6. An explosive device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a third cylindrical body attachable to the first cylindrical body and containing another explosive charge exposed to the first named explosive charge; and movable pin means in said third cylindrical body for firing said other explosive charge to explode the first named explosive charge.
 7. An explosive device as defined in claim 6, further comprising another disc movably mounted at one end of said third cylindrical body and responsive to a weight placed upon it for advancing said pin to fire the other explosive charge.
 8. An explosive device as defined in claim 6, further comprising another disc movably mounted at one end of said third cylindrical body and responsive to a weight placed thereon to move therewith; and trigger means in said third cylindrical body responsive to movement of said other disc to explode said other explosive charge. 